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Vice Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Jong-in announces the government’s plans for digital identification cards at the Central Government Complex in Seoul on June 23. (provided by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety)

South Korea will take a step-by-step approach to introduce smartphone-based digital identification cards this year. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) and other government agencies submitted a report entitled the “Digital Government Innovation Plan” during a State Council meeting held on the morning of June 23. The plan includes information regarding various government services that can be used with a smartphone-based identification confirmation system. A trial version of the system for public servants will be rolled out this year, and the government plans to issue smart driver’s licenses next year.

On June 23, South Korea’s three largest telecommunications companies and the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) launched a service that only allows people to use digital driver’s licenses at road-based checkpoints and during financial transactions; however, digital driver’s licenses issued by the government next year will have the same legal status as regular driver’s licenses. Seo Ju-hyeon, who heads the MOIS’ Digital Government Policy Department, said that encryption technology will be used to ensure the security of personal information if users lose their mobile devices.

There are only 13 types of government-issued documents currently available online, such as resident registration records and driving-related records, but this will increase to 100 by the end of the year and up to 300 by next year. The government also plans to implement an alert service called the “People’s Secretary” this year. The app’s “chatbot” and AI-powered speaker will guide smartphone users through the process to apply and pay for a wide range of public services, including those relating to education, military service and taxes. Additionally, the government plans to create a comprehensive call center that will integrate 11 call centers from different government agencies.

Additionally, the government plans to hold educational courses at local public welfare centers and district offices for people who are unfamiliar with online or smartphone services.

By Ock Kee-won, staff reporter

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